NB I-275 reopens with changes for Tuesday commute

TAMPA (FOX 13) - A traffic detour in place for I-275 Northbound overnight, between the Kennedy Boulevard exit off the Howard Frankland and Himes Avenue, has reopened.

The detour started at 10:30 p.m. Monday and, as planned, reopened right around 5:30 a.m. Tuesday. It was in place as FDOT worked to finally close the old lanes, and replace them with straighter, less curvy ones.

The updates, which include a new northbound roadway and new bridges over Dale Mabry and Himes Avenue, are expected to improve visibility and help drivers see further ahead.

"The whole idea of this project, was to add capacity, get traffic moving faster and ease the congestion," said FDOT spokeswoman Kris Carson. "We have got to keep up with all the population growth in Florida."

Travelers are also urged to remain alert as vehicles merge onto I-275 northbound from Dale Mabry Highway and Himes Avenue.

"It will be different Tuesday morning," said Carson Monday night. "We ask everyone to slow down, watch for signage. It's going to be a really exciting and welcome change for drivers that have been driving through the construction and the constrained corridor."

This week's updates do not include opening a fourth lane, part of the long term I-275 plan.

Carson says the fourth lane is expected to open in each direction ahead of schedule, within the next two or three months.